ANTONIO OLIVER CONVICTED OF MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE, FIREARM USE IN A CRIME OF VIOLENCE, ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A REGULATED FIREARM AND RELATED OFFENSES

Wicomico County, MD - Antonio Oliver, 26, of Salisbury, Maryland, was tried for four days, culminating in a guilty verdict on October 24, 2024.

The trial was held in the Circuit Court for Wicomico County, overseen by the Honorable Kathleen L. Beckstead, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Wicomico County. Oliver was found guilty of First Degree Murder, the Use of a Firearm During a Violent Crime, Unlawful Ownership of a Regulated Firearm, among other related charges.

The trial's sentencing phase has been delayed to allow time for a pre-sentence investigation to be completed. Oliver will be held in custody during the pre-sentence investigation.

The charges stem from an incident involving Oliver on July 31, 2023, at the 1000 block of Fairground Drive in Salisbury, Maryland. After a short physical altercation, the victim attempted to leave.

At this point, Oliver got a handgun from a friend and pursued the victim's car. Once the vehicle was out of sight, Oliver hid in the 1000 block of Fairground Drive, waiting for the victim's return. When the victim returned and exited his vehicle, Oliver emerged from his location, shooting the victim six times, with the first shot being in the victim's back.

Oliver escaped, initially from Fairground Drive and eventually beyond the boundaries of Maryland, but was apprehended later.

Wicomico County State's Attorney, Jamie Dykes, used the case as an example of the impact of gun violence in local communities. Dykes highlighted the devastating effect on the victim's family and the safety risk to those in nearby residences.

Dykes commented, "The illegal possession of firearms is case is an example of how gun violence is affecting our communities. Oliver's decision to kill the victim took a husband from his wife and a father from his children for no reason and endangered everyone else in the neighboring residences."

The State's Attorney expressed his gratitude towards the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit and the Salisbury Police Department for their diligence and commitment to the investigation. Particular gratitude was extended to Cpl Connor Willey of MSP, who led the investigation.

Jamie Dykes also gave credit to the emergency medical team of the Salisbury Fire Department for their efforts in trying to save the victim's life on the night of the crime.

Finally, Lauren Bourdon and Patrizia Coletta, Senior Assistant State's Attorneys, were recognized for their persistent advocacy in this trial.